Karangahake Rivers, being Ohinemuri and Waitawheta Rivers after sustained rained. Click picture below to access gallery…
Karangahake Gorge in Rain
Uncategorized
Super Volcano at Stardome
Went to see the Super volcano showing at Stardome.
It is an older (2005/2006) film projected on to the dome ceiling of the Star dome. Being part of Stardome’s School Holiday Program, Family groups with Kids are likely to derive the most enjoyment from it.
The actual “Super Volcano” film clip (as shown in the trailer in the aforementioned link) runs for about 23 minutes starting from Indonesia and describing it’s lasting effect on the world, through the “Great Dying”, before zooming out and examining the volcanoes of other planets.
The remainder of the time was utilized as a generalized star light presentation of the Solar system, aimed primary at younger kids interested in astronomy. Total Run time for the content by itself is 40 minutes (Super Volcano film + Solar system presentation). No photos to show this time (as photography is prohibited inside the Stardome room itself)
May be alright value with Family groups on a $40.00 (+ Booking fee) Family pass. (In contrast to say a group of Adult aged friends at 13.50 each where it perhaps falls on the expensive side)
Walks on the final weekend of July
28th and 29th July 2018 – Two walks around the lower Paeroa / Waitawheta Area. Click photos below to access each gallery.
Bluff Steam Kauri Loop Waitawheta…
Old Wires Track + Waipaheke Motorbike Track…
Mount Tutamoe + Hukatere
22nd July 2018 – Day Trip out towards the Dargaville direction to Hike up Mount Tutamoe Track and Hukatere Reserve (Both scheduled to be closed). Click picture below to access gallery…
Te Arai Point and Mangawhai Inland Walks
Another spur of the moment (Snap decision) walk on Saturday 14th July 2018, this time around Te Arai and Mangawhai. Click Picture below to access gallery…
Quick visit to Kaipara Coast Sculpture Gardens
Quick Drop in visit to Kaipara Coast Sculpture Gardens en route back to Auckland. Click Photo below to access the gallery…
They recommend about 1 and half hours to walk around. Could easily spend 3 hours there if you include Don’s loop at a leisurely pace. Hills are moderate (Easy for a seasoned hiker, may be challenging for though for the less fit)
Waipu Coastal Walk and Goldschmidt
Walk with the Auckland Hiking Group Meetup to Waipu, click photo below to access gallery…
Weather was pretty Rainy through much of it, with fine breaks.
Eden Gardens, Auckland
Short little walks around Clevedon and later on, a stroll around Eden Gardens. Click Picture below to access the gallery…
Pasifika and Corrections
A little walk around Pasifika Festival today, Small album of pictures posted to NUI.NZ.
With a surprise (to me) appearance of Jacinda Ardern along with Phil Goff (Mayor of Auckland).
Came earlier in the morning to avoid the crowds and the Afternoon Rain. Pacific Nations represented included, Hawaii, Fiji, Kiribati, Tonga, Samoa, Cook Islands, Tuvalu, Tokelau, Tahiti, Niue and of course Aotearoa. Full details on the ATEED website.
T’was handed info pack while walking past some stalls at Pasifika. A possible Career change from being a Computer nerd to a Corrections Officer? Not unheard of I suppose… It at least made me intrigued to look at what Corrections do.
In a lot of the “Just The Job” videos on Youtube… Lots of focus on rehabilitation, thought there was an acknowledgement that many offenders will “play the game”, get released only to return to prison again at a later date.
Currently Looking at the pay scale, If I ever was to take a front line position with Corrections, it would undoubtedly result in fairly sizeable drop in my pay.
King Country Road Trip Explore
Spur of the moment trip to visit a few places around King Country and Waitomo (Click Photo below to access gallery) staying at Grandad’s Cottage situated around the Taumarunui area both nights.
Confession time
I have a confession to make, I do not understand present day Economics or financial markets.
To be honest, all I personally see is perhaps the biggest global asset bubble to ever grace the face of this planet. Many assets across the board appear to be valued well in-excess of their intrinsic value and have seemingly been like this for a lot longer than would ordinary be in a so called a bubbly situation.
Motuora
Explore of Motuora Island today with the North Shore Tramping Club. Lead by Imogen with Karen who took us there in the official Yellow bus. Photos posted to NUI.NZ, Click Image below to access the gallery…
Will add some more details in the next few days. (Right now I’m feeling really really sleepy, Apologies!)
Weekend in Palmy
4th to 5th of November 2017 – Weekend in Palmy. Click image below to access the gallery on NUI.NZ…
Took yet another Jetstar flight, this time down to Palmerston North.
Locations visited (includes links to Official external websites)…
- Sledge Track, Toe Toe loop and Platinum Mines, [PDF Brochure here]
- Tawa Loop (Loops off of Manawatu Gorge Walk)
- Caccia Birch House (Open Days)
Mount Taupiri + Pukemokemoke Reserve
Short walks this afternoon to Mount Taupiri and Pukemokemoke, click picture below to access the photo gallery at NUI.NZ.
The Taupiri Mountain Bushwalk was approved for by Maori Elder, Turnate Mahuta, and cared for by Local residents along with the Taupiri Young Farmers Club. Pukemokemoke Reserve is under the care of the David Johnstone Pukemokemoke Bush Trust in conjuction with Friends of the Pukemokemoke.
Both Bush Walks (to the summits and return) are about 1-2 hours each.
Elevation gain for Taupiri Mountain is approximately 270 while the elevation gain for Pukemokemoke is approximately 150.
Detail indepth description about the Pukemokemoke reserve is available on MotoWalk Pukemokmoke page
Cornwall Park
Quick little shots Miscellaneous shots from Cornwall park after having attended the Flight Centre Travel Expo. Was hoping to see some blossoms, but it didn’t quite eventuate as planned. It was also the middle of the day where most people would be visiting the park so didn’t quite get any descent photo opportunities that weren’t essentially just crowds of people…
Waitakere Dam and Pukematekeo Loop
Normal day walk with the Auckland Hiking Group revisiting some regular haunts in and around the Waitakere Dam. Pictures posted to NUI.NZ
Te Ara Tahuna and Waiwera to Orewa Walks
A spontaneous trip to do some little walks up north in and around Orewa and Waiwera. Photos uploaded to NUI.NZ. Click image below to go to the photo album.
Wellington Redux + NZ Shareholders’ Association AGM
Short trip down to Wellington to Attend the New Zealand Shareholders’ Association Annual Conference. Prior to that, paid a visit to the Zealandia Eco Sanctuary… Click image below to access the gallery.
Recommend paying the extra for a guide for your first visit to the Sanctuary just to get an insight on where the wild life is hiding. The Sanctuary has yearly access options available which Is an option I would take up myself should I live in the Wellington Area. Aside from the main visiting area, the Sanctuary has quite a network of walking tracks [PDF].
NZ Shareholder’s Association conference on the following day was packed and fully subscribed. A number of speakers presented including…
- Simon Mouter – Managing Director Spark Ltd
- Cameron Bagrie – ANZ Bank Chief Economist
- Mark Peterson – CEO NZX Ltd
- Norah Barlow – Director, Estia Healthcare
- Hartley Atkinson – CEO AFT Pharmaceuticals
- Richard Keys – CEO Abano Healthcare Ltd
- Margaret Bearsley/ Andrew Hudson – CEO/GC Takeovers Panel
…Recordings will be posted to the NZ Shareholders website for paid up NZSA Members.
Jetstar has so far been good to me (as is Air New Zealand with other trips). No Delays this trip. Maybe one advantage Jetstar has over Air NZ is that they offer meals with the Flexi ticket option at least for their Auckland to Wellington Leg (though I’m sure the extra 2nd meal I got on the way down wasn’t meant to happen and probably came about when I encountered a bug with their online booking system trying to select meals and seats)
Central Plateau and Ruapehu White Snow
Winter wonderland of thick white snow blanketing the Central Plateau. Spontaneous trip to view the snow. Click photo below to view Gallery.
Grampians and Twelve Apostles Trip Notes
23rd to 26th June 2017 – Post Work formalities Road trip to the Grampians and The !2 Apostles (Now really only 7) along the Great Ocean Road before flying back home to Auckland.
After the Software Technical symposium concluded on Friday Afternoon, grabbed a rental car and drove to Halls Gap next to the Grampians National Park, staying at Comfort Inn Halls Gap. Continue reading “Grampians and Twelve Apostles Trip Notes”